External interface for a mobile device

ABSTRACT

A method is provided for interfacing with a mobile device. The method includes presenting the active content of the mobile device in association with an external computing device and receiving, on the mobile device, user input from one or more components associated with the external computing device. A system for interfacing with a mobile device is also provided. The system includes one or more proximity control components, one or more translator components, one or more rendering components, and one or more transferring components. A method for communicating active content of a mobile device to an external computing device is also provided. The method includes transferring data containing at least one of display definitions, navigational elements, and active content and presenting the transferred data in association with the external computing device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

One of the challenges with using mobile computing devices is thedifficulty using the small displays and tiny input components. Likewise,voice activated devices with no display areas can make the initialassignment of voice commands challenging. Tiny thumb keyboards, tripletapping through letters, numbers and symbols, using a stylus to “write”,or training the voice recognition software can be frustrating and deterpeople from fully utilizing their mobile device. Adding to thefrustration, most people still spend a significant amount of time nearmore robust computing devices such as desktop and laptop computers whichhave easier methods for inputting data and larger display areas.However, these more robust computing devices are not integrated with themobile device and, accordingly, cannot be used to ease use thereof.

There are software programs like Palm™ Desktop for personal digitalassistants, MOBILedit! for cell phones, and iTunes for music playersthat allow a user to input data on a computer for the mobile device andsynchronize the data between the mobile device and the computer. Theseprograms, however, synchronize data in an asynchronous fashion whichcauses time delays and can complicate the process of keeping dataup-to-date on a mobile device. Further, the software on the computingdevice is preprogrammed to match the specific functionality of themobile device which requires specific software versions based on theproprietary data formats used by the various mobile devices and frequentsoftware upgrades as the mobile device evolves. Additionally, thesoftware on the computing device has no awareness of the active contentof the mobile device and will interrupt any running processes tosynchronize. This lack of awareness prevents one from initiating amobile device function from the computing device.

Accordingly, an improved interface that interacts directly with a mobiledevice while leveraging the more robust resources of an externalcomputing device without creating synchronization issues would beadvantageous. Additionally, a method that allows mobile device users toaccess the functionality, data and content of the mobile device from amore robust computing device would be desirable.

SUMMARY

The present invention is defined by the claims below. This summary isintended to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form thatare further described below in the Detailed Description and is notintended to identify key features or essential features of the claimedsubject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determiningthe scope of the claimed subject matter.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for, among otherthings, interfacing with a mobile device from an external display.Embodiments of the present invention have several practical applicationsin the technical arts including enabling easier and quicker interactionwith mobile devices and simplifying the process of training voiceactivated mobile devices.

In a first aspect, a method is provided for interfacing with a mobiledevice. The method includes presenting active content of the mobiledevice in association with an external computing device and receiving,on the mobile device, user input from one or more components associatedwith the external computing device.

In another aspect, a system is provided for interfacing with a mobiledevice. The system includes one or more proximity control components,one or more translator components, one or more rendering components, andone or more transferring components. The translator components areconfigured for translating native code associated with the mobile deviceto code enabling display of active content associated with the mobiledevice on a display device associated with an external computing device.The rendering components are configured for rendering data received fromthe mobile device to the display associated with the external computingdevice. The transferring components are configured for transferring theinput received from input components associated with the externalcomputing device to the mobile device.

In another aspect, a method for communicating active content of a mobiledevice to an external computing device is provided. The method includestransferring data containing information associated with at least one ofthe display definitions associated with the mobile device, one or morenavigational elements associated with the mobile device, and the activecontent of the mobile device, and presenting the transferred data inassociation with the external computing device.

Aspects of the present invention are further directed tocomputer-readable media having computer-useable instructions forperforming the methods disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described indetail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which areincorporated by reference herein and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for interfacing with a mobiledevice on an external computing device in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the active content of a mobile devicedisplayed on an external computing device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the active content of a mobile devicedisplayed in an enhanced mode on an external computing device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for displaying theinterface of a mobile device on an external computing device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary interworking of mobiledevices and connection protocols when implementing an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a system for interfacing with amobile device via an external display in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for communicating activecontent of a mobile device to an external computing device in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods forinterfacing with a mobile device utilizing an external computing device.Utilizing the systems and methods described herein, device users canutilize input components from external computing devices to interactwith their mobile devices.

Throughout the description of embodiments of the present invention,several acronyms and shorthand notations are used to aid theunderstanding of certain concepts pertaining to the associated systemsand services. These acronyms and shorthand notations are solely intendedfor the purpose of providing an easy methodology of communicating theideas expressed herein and are in no way meant to limit the scope of thepresent invention.

Further, various technical terms are used throughout this description.To the extent a definition is not provided in this specification, adefinition of such terms can be found in Newton's Telecom Dictionary byH. Newton, 21^(st) Edition (2005). These definitions are intended toprovide a clearer understanding of the ideas disclosed herein but arenot intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Thedefinitions and terms should be interpreted broadly and liberally to theextent allowed the meaning of the words offered in the above-citedreference.

As one skilled in the art will appreciate, embodiments of the presentinvention may be embodied as, among other things: a method, system, orcomputer-program product. Accordingly, the embodiments may take the formof a hardware embodiment, a software embodiment, or an embodimentcombining software and hardware. In one embodiment, the presentinvention takes the form of a computer-program product that includescomputer-useable instructions embodied on one or more computer-readablemedia.

Computer-readable media include both volatile and nonvolatile media,removable and nonremovable media, and contemplates media readable by adatabase, a switch, and various other network devices. Network switches,routers, and related components are conventional in nature, as are meansof communicating with the same. By way of example, and not limitation,computer-readable media comprise computer-storage media andcommunications media.

Computer-storage media, or machine-readable media, include mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storing information.Examples of stored information include computer-useable instructions,data structures, program modules, and other data representations.Computer-storage media include, but are not limited to RAM, ROM, EEPROM,flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile discs(DVD), holographic media or other optical disc storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, and other magneticstorage devices. These memory components can store data momentarily,temporarily, or permanently.

Communications media typically store computer-useableinstructions—including data structures and program modules—in amodulated data signal. The term “modulated data signal” refers to apropagated signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged to encode information in the signal. An exemplary modulated datasignal includes a carrier wave or other transport mechanism.Communications media include any information-delivery media. By way ofexample but not limitation, communications media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, infrared, radio, microwave, spread-spectrum, and otherwireless media technologies. Combinations of the above are includedwithin the scope of computer-readable media.

With reference to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplarymethod 100 for interfacing with a mobile device 110 on an externalcomputing device 122 is presented, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile deviceis a mobile phone 110, e.g., a cell phone. It will be understood andappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, however, that thisembodiment is merely exemplary and that the mobile device mayadditionally include, without limitation, a personal digital assistant(PDA), an audio player, an audio recorder, a camera, a video player, avideo recorder, a television receiver, a radio, a hand-held computingdevice, and any combination thereof. The mobile phone 110 has apresentation component 120 and a personal area network 112 associatedtherewith. In the illustrated embodiment, the presentation component 120is a display as, typically, presentation of data (as more fullydescribed below) comprises displaying the data. However, other types ofpresentation, such as an audible presentation, may also be providedwithin the scope of embodiments of the present invention. As such,presentation component 120 may comprise, for instance, an audiopresentation component. The personal area network 112 may be a broadcastrange or connection method associated with a communication protocol. A“communication protocol”, as utilized herein, includes any wireless orwired protocol which enables data transmission and/or reception. Suchcommunication protocols include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth,Infrared, Wi-Fi, Wi Max, ZigBee, USB, and Firewire.

In the illustrated embodiment, the external computing device is adesktop computer 122. The desktop computer 122 has a personal areanetwork 116 and a presentation component 114, in this case a display,associated therewith. As with the personal area network 112 associatedwith the mobile phone 110, the personal area network 116 associated withthe desktop computer 122 may be a broadcast range or connection methodassociated with a communication protocol.

In the illustrated embodiment, as the personal area network 112associated with the mobile phone 110 and the personal area network 116associated with the desktop computer 122 are brought within proximity ofone another, a verification protocol 124 is initiated that determineswhether the mobile device user is registered to use the presentation andinput capabilities of the desktop computer 122. If it is determined thatthe mobile device user is registered to use the presentation and inputcapabilities of the desktop computer 122, data is subsequentlytransmitted between the mobile phone 110 and the desktop computer 122which enables the active content of the mobile phone display 120 to bepresented on the desktop computer display 114 via an external userinterface 118. “Active content”, as utilized herein, refers to any dataor information currently presented by or on the mobile device and mayinclude, by way of example only, data, data fields, video, audio,navigational elements, and components configured for executing functionsassociated with the mobile device 110.

The mobile phone display 120 and external interface 118 may presentidentical information where the active content on both displays is thesame, as more fully described below with reference to FIG. 2.Alternatively, the external interface 118 may display enhanced features,including, but not limited to, any data, information, or functions thatare not currently presented by or on the mobile device 110, but whichare available in association with either the mobile device 110 or theexternal computing device 122. This embodiment is more fully describedbelow with reference to FIG. 3. If the mobile phone display 120 isaltered due to input received from components associated with the mobilephone 110, the external interface 118 is essentially simultaneouslychanged accordingly utilizing a dynamic communication exchange 126.

Once the personal area network 112 associated with the mobile phone 110and the personal area network 116 associated with the desktop computer122 are no longer within proximity of one another, the communicationexchange 126 is disconnected and the session is terminated. One skilledin the art can appreciate that a session could also be terminatedmanually by a user invoking a command on either the mobile phone 110 orthe desktop computer 122.

With reference to FIG. 2, a diagram 200 is illustrated which shows theactive content of a mobile device identically displayed on thepresentation component 114 of an external computing device. Aspreviously stated, active content may be any data or informationcurrently presented by or on the mobile device including, but notlimited to, data, data fields, video, audio, navigational elements, andcomponents configured for executing functions associated with the mobiledevice. In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile device display 210depicts a menu 220 of options available on the mobile device. Theexternal computing device display 114 presents an external interface 118which includes identical information to that displayed on the mobiledevice. The data needed to load and update both the mobile devicedisplay 220 and the external interface 118 is communicated dynamicallythrough the communication protocol 212. The communication protocol maybe any wireless or wireline protocol which enables data transmissionand/or reception.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a diagram 300 is illustrated which shows theactive content 314 of a mobile device 320 and one or more enhancedfeatures displayed on the presentation component 114 of an externalcomputing device. In the illustrated embodiment, the active content 314of the mobile device display 310 includes a list of incoming voicecalls. The external computing device display 114 presents an externalinterface 312 which contains the same active content 314 as the mobiledevice display 310 but also includes enhanced features. The activecontent 314 of the mobile device display 310 in the illustratedembodiment includes two incoming call records and is displayed on theexternal interface 312 at reference numeral 316. In the illustratedembodiment, the enhanced features include additional data represented bythe eleven additional incoming call records displayed at 318, andnavigational elements and components configured to execute functions onthe mobile device displayed at 322.

By way of example, the user could use a mouse associated with theexternal computing device to click on the incoming call record displayedat 324 then click on the ‘send text message’ component 326, This wouldresult in the mobile device 320 initiating the text messaging proceduresfor that mobile device 320 using data associated with that incoming callrecord. In this example, as the display 310 associated with the mobiledevice 320 changes, so would the external interface 312 associated withthe external computing device. The subsequently displayed information onthe mobile device 320 may include a data entry field for inputting thebody of the text message. That field would be displayed on both themobile device display 310 and the external interface 312 associated withthe external computing device giving the user the ability to enter thetext message using input components associated with either the externalcomputing device 300 or the mobile device 320. The data needed to loadand update both the display 310 associated with the mobile device 320and the external interface 312 associated with the external computingdevice 300 is communicated dynamically through the communicationprotocol 212. As previously stated, the communication protocol may beany wireless or wireline protocol which enables data transmission and/orreception.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a flow diagram is shown illustrating a method 400for presenting the active content of a mobile device in association withan external computing device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The session is initiated at 410. In one embodiment, asession may be initiated upon the mobile device coming into proximitywith the external computing device. In another embodiment, a session maybe initiated by physical wire or cable coupling of the externalcomputing device to the mobile device. Any and all combinations thereofare contemplated to be within the scope of embodiments of the presentinvention. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that, ifdesired, the session initiation process may include security measuressuch as password protection and other ways known in the art to createsecure connections between diverse devices.

Once the session is initiated, the active content of the mobile deviceis presented in association with the external computing device at 420.Once the active content of the mobile device is presented, the mobiledevice can receive input from components associated with the externalcomputing device. This is indicated at 430. Such components may include,but are not limited to, a keyboard, a mouse, a screen, a microphone, astylus, a light pen, a removable memory, and a software application. Thepresenting step 420 and the receiving step 430 are repeated as neededand create a dynamic real-time exchange between the mobile device andthe external computing device until the session is terminated at 440.Termination could also occur by moving the mobile device out of theproximity allowed by the wireless communication protocol, bydisconnecting the wired connection, by the user selecting a command oneither the mobile device or external interface, by timing out, or anyother termination method known in the art.

With reference now to FIG. 5, a schematic diagram 500 of an exemplaryinterworking between various mobile devices and communication protocolsis shown. The illustrated mobile devices include a mobile phone 501, apersonal digital assistant 503, a digital camera 505, a musicplayer/recorder 507, a video player/recorder 509, a video/audiobroadcast receiver 511, and a mobile device without a display component513. The illustrated communication protocols used to create the externalinterface on the external computing device 122 are shown by a Bluetooth521, ZigBee 523, WiFi 525, WiMax 527, Firewire 529, USB 531, Cable 533,and infrared 535. These communications protocols or any other protocolcapable of data transmission and/or reception between diverse computingdevices can be used to practice embodiments of the present invention.The external computing device 122 is represented by a desktop computer,but one skilled in the art can appreciate that it could be any computingdevice capable of executing computer-usable instructions including, butnot limited to, a laptop or hand-held computer or another mobile device.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a block diagram is shown illustrating a system600 for interfacing with a mobile device 610. The mobile device 610includes a translator component 612, a transferring component 614, and aproximity control component 616. The translator component 612 isconfigured for translating the native code associated with the mobiledevice 610 to code that enables the presentation of the active contentof the mobile device on or in association with the external computingdevice 622. The translator component 612 may also be configured fortranslating the code received from the external computing device 622back to native code usable by the mobile device 610. The transferringcomponent 614 of the mobile device 610 is configured to transfer and/orreceive data from the communication protocol 618. The proximity controlcomponent 616 is configured to manage the initiation and termination ofthe communication protocol 618 between the mobile device and theexternal computing device 622.

The external computing device 622 includes a proximity control component624, a rendering component 626, and a transferring component 628. Theproximity control component 624 of the external computing device 622 issimilar to the proximity control component of the mobile device 610 andis configured to manage the initiation and termination of thecommunication protocol 618 between the external computing device 622 andthe mobile device 610. The transferring component 628 associated withthe external computing device 622 is configured to transfer and receivedata from the communication protocol 618. The rendering component 626associated with the external computing device 622 is configured torender the data received from the communication protocol 618 to adisplay or other presentation component associated with the externalcomputing device 622. The communication protocol 618 may be any wirelessor wireline protocol which enables data transmission and/or reception.

With reference to FIG. 7, a flow diagram is shown illustrating anexemplary method 700 for communicating active content associated with amobile device to an external computing device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. Initially, the session is initiatedat 710. As with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, a session may beinitiated upon the mobile device coming into proximity with the externalcomputing device or by physical wire or cable coupling of the externalcomputing device to the mobile device. One of ordinary skill willappreciate that the session initiation process may, if desired, includesecurity measures such as password protection and other procedures knownin the art to create secure connection between diverse devices. Once thesession is initiated, the active content, screen definitions, andnavigational elements associated with the mobile device are transferredat 720 by the mobile device to the external computing device. Once thedata is transferred, it is presented in association with the externalcomputing device at 730. The transfer step 720 and presenting step 730are repeated as needed and create a dynamic exchange between the mobiledevice and the external computing device until the session is terminatedat 470. Termination could occur by moving the mobile device out of theproximity allowed by the wireless communication protocol, bydisconnecting the wired connection, by the user selecting a command oneither the mobile device or the external interface, by timing out, orany other termination method known in the art.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as wellas components not shown, are possible without departing from the spiritand scope of embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of thepresent invention have been described with the intent to be illustrativerather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent tothose skilled in the art. A skilled artisan may develop alternativemeans of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departingfrom the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Notall steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in thespecific order described.

1. A method in a computerized environment for interfacing with a mobiledevice, the method comprising: presenting to a user in real-time and ona first presentation component of an external computing device, dynamicactive content currently presented in association with the mobiledevice, wherein the first presentation component is not directlyassociated with the mobile device, wherein the dynamic active content isreceived by the external computing device from the mobile device, andwherein the dynamic active content presented on the first presentationcomponent of the external computing device changes as the active contentcurrently presented in association with the mobile device changes; andreceiving user input at the mobile device from one or more inputcomponents directly associated with the external computing device,wherein the one or more input components is not directly associated withthe mobile device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the dynamic activecontent comprises content displayed or presented on a secondpresentation component, the second presentation component being directlyassociated with the mobile device and not directly associated with theexternal computing device.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the contentdisplayed or presented on the second presentation component includes oneor more of data, data fields, video, audio, navigational elements, andcomponents configured for executing functions associated with the mobiledevice.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the dynamic active contentcomprises content presented on a second presentation component, thesecond presentation component being directly associated with the mobiledevice and not directly associated with the external computing device,and one or more enhanced features.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein atleast one of the one or more enhanced features includes one or more ofadditional data, additional data fields, additional navigationalelements, and additional components configured to execute functionsassociated with the mobile device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein theactive content comprises a user interface for the mobile device.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises one of: a mobilephone, a personal digital assistant, an audio player, an audio recorder,a camera, a video player, a video recorder, a television receiver, aradio, a media player, and a hand-held computing device.
 8. The methodof claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more input componentsassociated with the external computing device and the first presentationcomponent comprises one or more of a keyboard, a mouse, a screen, amicrophone, a stylus, a light pen, a removable memory, and a softwareapplication.
 9. A method in a computerized environment for communicatingactive content of a mobile device to an external computing device, themethod comprising: transferring data containing information associatedwith at least one of one or more display definitions associated with themobile device, one or more navigational elements associated with themobile device, and the active content currently presented in associationwith the mobile device to the external computing device, wherein themobile device is in continued communication with the external computingdevice, and wherein the active content is transferred from the mobiledevice to the external computing device for presentation; and presentingthe data transferred to the external computing device on a firstpresentation component, wherein the first presentation component isdirectly associated with the external computing device and not directlyassociated with the mobile device, and wherein the active contentpresented on the first presentation component of the external computingdevice is dynamic and changes as the active content presented inassociation with the mobile device changes.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the active content comprises content displayed on a secondpresentation component, the second presentation component being directlyassociated with the mobile device and not directly associated with theexternal computing device.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the activecontent comprises content presented on a second presentation component,the second presentation component being directly associated with themobile device and not directly associated with the external computingdevice, and one or more enhanced features.
 12. The method of claim 9,wherein the active content comprises a user interface for the mobiledevice.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the mobile device comprisesone of a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, an audio player, anaudio recorder, a camera, a video player, a video recorder, a televisionreceiver, a radio, and a hand-held computing device.